Credit unions tout their readiness to assist with a variety of life stages, but a loan product for one of the most difficult potential life experiences is virtually nowhere to be found.

Barclays, BMO, Citibank, Goldman Sachs and ING contributed to the online student lender, which last year made over $1 billion in loans.

The combination of their convenient branch networks and strong digital offerings makes large, national banks tough to beat in dispensing financial guidance, consumers say.

Executives at banks north of the border pointed this week to several potential U.S. economic snags, including inflation, the possibility of a housing market correction and soaring energy prices.

Former FHFA director Mark Calabria said the mortgage market was a “ticking time bomb” on track for a 2008-like crisis. Other experts foresee a tamer end to the bull housing market.

The nation's largest bank indicated Monday that it may again offer home equity lines of credit to a wide audience. Rising mortgage rates have made the product more attractive after a long drought when low rates suppressed demand.

If companies want to keep partnering with banks to build innovative financial services, they need to stop thinking about regulation as their partner banks' problems and start being part of the solution.

In the U.S. and around the world, women still face many barriers to financial inclusion, and workplace practices that make it more challenging for them to build wealth. It doesn't have to be that way.

Credit unions worked with California lawmakers to reshape proposed changes to the fees. An upcoming rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau raises uncertainty.